Tim Iroegbunam
{{Short description|English footballer (born 2003)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Tim Iroegbunam
| full_name = Timothy Emeka Iroegbunam{{cite news|title=2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed|url=http://www.premierleague.com/news/2247219|access-date=14 December 2021|publisher=Premier League}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|6|30|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/66538/Tim-Iroegbunam/overview |title=Tim Iroegbunam: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=6 October 2024 }}
| birth_place = Great Barr, England{{cite news|title=Who is Tim Iroegbunam? The latest Aston Villa academy star called up by Steven Gerrard|work=Birmingham Mail|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tim-iroegbunam-aston-villa-leicester-20983664|access-date=14 December 2021}}
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|order=flip}}
| position = Central midfielder
| currentclub = Everton
| clubnumber = 42
| youthclubs1 = Sutton United
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs2 = West Bromwich Albion
| youthyears2 = 2009–2021
| youthyears3 = 2021–2022
| youthclubs3 = Aston Villa
| years1 = 2022–2024
| clubs1 = Aston Villa
| caps1 = 12
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2022–2023
| clubs2 = → Queens Park Rangers (loan)
| caps2 = 32
| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 2024–
| clubs3 = Everton
| caps3 = 18
| goals3 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2022
| nationalteam1 = England U19
| nationalcaps1 = 6
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2022–2024
| nationalteam2 = England U20
| nationalcaps2 = 7
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|ENG}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-19 Championship}}
{{Medal|W|2022 Slovakia|}}
| club-update = 16:54, 10 May 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate =
}}
Timothy Emeka Iroegbunam (pronounced {{IPAc-en|ɪ|r|ə|'|b|uː|n|ə|m}}, {{respell|irr|ə|BOO|nəm}};{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/reel/501875685736512 |title=Iroegbunam with a silent 'g'|work=Facebook |publisher=Everton F.C.}} born 30 June 2003) is an English footballer who plays as a central midfielder for {{English football updater|Everton}} club Everton.
Iroegbunam is a product of the West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa academies. He spent the 2022–23 season on loan from Aston Villa at EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers, and also appeared for England at under-19 and under-20 levels, winning the UEFA European Under-19 Championship with the former in 2022. Having made his professional debut at Aston Villa in February 2022, he signed for Everton in June 2024.
Club career
=Youth career=
Iroegbunam played youth football in Sutton Coldfield for Sutton United - where at under-8s level, he played alongside future West Brom and Aston Villa teammate Louie Barry.{{Cite web |last=Preece |first=Ashley |date=2022-03-01 |title=Steven Gerrard's masterplan for Aston Villa wonderkid Iroegbunam |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-tim-iroegbunam-transfer-23249872 |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=BirminghamLive |language=en}} Iroegbunam started his career at West Bromwich Albion, appearing once on the bench for a Premier League game against Leeds United on 23 May 2021.{{Cite news|title=Leeds finish with win over West Brom|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57132105|access-date=2021-12-14}}
=Aston Villa=
Iroegbunam signed for Aston Villa in an undisclosed deal in July 2021, joining their under-23 academy side.{{Cite web |title=Tim Iroegbunam joins Aston Villa |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/Iroegbunam-joins-Villa/ |access-date=2021-12-14 |website=Aston Villa Football Club|date=29 July 2021 }} After featuring on the bench several times,{{Cite news|title=Konsa double helps Villa down Foxes|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59380837|access-date=2021-12-14}} Iroegbunam made his Premier League debut on 26 February 2022, as a late substitute for Philippe Coutinho in a 2–0 away victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.{{Cite news |title=Watkins scores as Villa win at Brighton |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60441968 |access-date=2022-02-26}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/brighton-and-hove-albion-vs-aston-villa/live/446550|title=Brighton 0-2 Aston Villa highlights|website=Sky Sports}} He signed a contract extension in March 2022, running until 2027.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=18 March 2022 |title=Tim Iroegbunam pens new contract |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/march/18/iroegbunam-pens-new-contract/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Aston Villa Football Club}} On 30 April 2022, Irogebunam was given his first Premier League start for Aston Villa, in a 2–0 victory over Norwich City playing 73 minutes before being substituted for Douglas Luiz.{{Cite news |title=Norwich relegated with tame loss at Aston Villa. |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61198620 |access-date=2022-05-01}}
In September 2022, Iroegbunam signed for Championship club Queens Park Rangers on a season-long loan deal.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=1 September 2022 |title=Tim Iroegbunam joins QPR on season-long loan |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/september/01/iroegbunam-joins-qpr-on-season-long-loan/ |access-date=2 September 2022 |website=Aston Villa Football Club}} He made his EFL debut on 3 September, in a 1–0 defeat to Swansea City.{{Cite web |last=Phelps |first=Luke |date=2022-09-05 |title='He's going to have a good season' - QPR boss runs the rule over Aston Villa loanee Iroegbunam after his weekend debut |url=https://the72.co.uk/2022/09/05/hes-going-to-have-a-good-season-qpr-boss-runs-the-rule-over-aston-villa-loanee-iroegbunam-after-his-weekend-debut/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=The72 |language=en-GB}} He scored his first goal in senior football on 25 February 2023, QPR's only goal in a 3–1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.{{Cite web |date=25 February 2023 |title=QPR beaten by Blackburn in Ainsworth's first game in charge |url=https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/sport/23347160.sky-bet-championship-qpr-1-blackburn-rovers-3/ |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=Brent & Kilburn Times |language=en}}
= Everton =
In June 2024, Iroegbunam joined fellow Premier League club Everton for an undisclosed fee,{{Cite web |date=22 June 2024 |title=Everton Sign Iroegbunam |url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2024/june/22/everton-sign-iroegbunam/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=Everton F.C.}} reported to be around £9m,{{Cite web |last=Townley |first=John |date=22 June 2024 |title=Everton complete £9m Aston Villa transfer |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/breaking-everton-complete-9m-aston-29394153 |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=Birmingham Mail}} signing a three-year deal. He made his debut for the Toffees during the opening game of the Premier League season, a 3-0 home loss to Brighton on 17 August 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.sofascore.com/football/match/everton-brighton-and-hove-albion/FsY | title=Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion live score, H2H and lineups | Sofascore }}
International career
Iroegbunam was given his first international call-up when he was named in the England under-20 team for the matches against Poland and Germany in March 2022.{{Cite web |last=Veevers |first=Nicholas |date=18 March 2022 |title=MU20s squad named for March |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2022/Mar/18/england-mu20s-squad-named-for-poland-and-germany-games-20221803 |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=The Football Association |language=en}} In the same international break, Iroegbunam was included in the England U19 team and made his international debut on 23 March 2022, in a 3–1 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification win over Republic of Ireland.{{Cite web |last=Lewin |first=Becca |date=23 March 2022 |title=Report: Republic of Ireland 1-3 England MU19s |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2022/Mar/23/england-mu19s-republic-of-ireland-match-report-uefa-u19-euro-elite-qualifying-round-20222303 |access-date=24 March 2022 |website=The Football Association}}{{Cite web |date=23 March 2022 |title=Chukwuemeka at the double for England U19s |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/march/23/chukwuemeka-at-the-double-for-england-u19s/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |website=Aston Villa Football Club}}
He was named in the England squad for the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=17 June 2022 |title=Aston Villa trio named in England squad for U19 Euros |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/june/17/trio-named-in-/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Aston Villa Football Club}} and featured heavily in the tournament. In the final, Iroegbunam appeared as a second-half substitute as England beat Israel 3–1 in extra time.{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0277-1585addeb047-8422a993d714-1000--israel-1-3-england-aet-chukwuemeka-and-ramsey-the-extra-time-he/|title=Israel 1-3 England (aet): Chukwuemeka and Ramsey the extra-time heroes as Young Lions fight back|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |first=Sam|last=Honeyman|date=1 July 2022 |access-date=19 November 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Israel U19 1-3 England U19 (AET): Young Lions stage extra-time fightback to win European Championship |url=https://uk-sport-web.prod.oceanusorigin.com/football/news/12040/12642555/israel-u19-1-3-england-u19-aet-young-lions-stage-extra-time-fightback-to-win-european-championship |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=Sky Sports |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Iroegbunam made his England U20 debut as a substitute during a 3–0 victory over Chile at the Pinatar Arena on 21 September 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2022/Sep/21/england-mu20s-chile-pinatar-match-report-20222109|title=Report: England MU20s 3-0 Chile|first=Liam|last=Crane|date=21 September 2022|accessdate=25 September 2022|website=EnglandFootball.com}}
Personal life
Born in England, Iroegbunam is of Igbo Nigerian descent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=39997|title=Official : 2003-born midfielder of Nigerian descent offered new deal by West Brom :: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal|website=www.allnigeriasoccer.com}} His parents are both profoundly deaf; he also speaks British Sign Language.{{cite web|url=https://x.com/BBCMOTD/status/1839693625346650356 |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=x.com |language=en}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 10 May 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/tim-iroegbunam/623090/|title=T. Iroegbunam|access-date=14 December 2021|website=Soccerway}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Bromwich Albion U23
|colspan="3"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=EFT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| rowspan="3"|Aston Villa U21
|colspan="3"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|name=EFT}} | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||||
| 2023–24
|colspan="3"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=EFT}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |||||
| rowspan="4"|Aston Villa
|rowspan="3"|Premier League |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2023–24
|9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League|name=UECL}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| Queens Park Rangers (loan)
|32 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 2 | |||
| Everton
|Premier League |18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 0 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!62 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 77 | 2 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
England U19s
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.evertonfc.com/teams/Men/timiroegbunam Profile] at the Everton F.C. website
- {{UEFA player}}
{{Everton F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Iroegbunam, Tim}}
Category:People from Great Barr
Category:Footballers from Birmingham, West Midlands
Category:English men's footballers
Category:English people of Nigerian descent
Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Aston Villa F.C. players
Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:21st-century Black British people
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players